KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
FULL DAY TOUR
Come with us and enjoy an interesting and pleasant journey to the Center of Portugal and into the middle age time.
Once there, let us find out and explore the symbolic City of the Knights Templar.
Let’s know the history of the Templars in Portugal!
What about living a day to experience how the warriors monks lived when visiting their castles and covents?
Let’s go into the Church of S. João Baptista and the Aqueduct of Pegões!
Come and find out about amazing monuments where some are among the most important in Portugal.
Oh yes! Let’s end up the first half of the morning being delighted with a traditional lunch in an old from the middle age restaurant where we will find out that the atmosphere of that period stays within the decoration as well as within the menu.
TOUR: 8H - ALL DAY
PICKUP HOUR: 08H30 (or )
LOCAL PICKUP: Our local guide will pick you up at your Hotel, Airport, Cruise terminal or other meeting point
MAXIMUM PEOPLE: 6
MORE THAN 6 PEOPLE: On request
INCLUDED:
Pick-up and drop-off at your Hotel in Lisbon
Personalized transport in a car or minivan, in safe & comfortable conditions
Professional guide/driver service
Public liability and personal accidents insurance
Free time to explore at each stop and for photos
24h/7 Customer Service Assistance
THE GUIDE SPEAKS:
English, Spanish, French, Russian, Portuguese and Romanian
Italian: On request
NOT INCLUDED:
Flights to and from Portugal
Personal expenses
Other expenses (or entrances) not mentioned
Meals
Entrance to monuments
Tour Program
FAST INTRODUCTION
In this tour we´ll follow the steps of the Knights Templar, a religious-military order, whose name come from its original headquarters - the Temple of Solomon full of mysteries with a great treasure that would include the Holy Grail. It was born in the Middle East in the early twelfth century at the time of the "Christian Reconquest," considered a holy war. It was founded to protect pilgrims on the road to the Holy Land, then spread throughout Europe and finally reached the Iberian Peninsula. There have been centuries of fights between Christians and Muslims in this territory today known as Portugal and Spain.
The Templars had a very important and fundamental role in all the great times and battles of Portugal from the time of the country's foundation with king D. Afonso Henriques till the Great Portuguese Age of the Discoveries!
Almourol Castle and Tomar are perfect examples to get acquainted with this mysterious Order.
So, shall we begin our discovery?
TOMAR
We will pick you up at your hotel or apartment and we´ll head towards the city of the Knights Templar.
A place occupied by men since a long, long time ago...
A region with Roman cities at a certain period of time, or that was inhabited by Moors in another period, but which finally was conquered by the first Portuguese king who donated it to the Templars.
THE TEMPLAR CASTLE
As soon as we get there, we’ll start the tour throughout the 12th-century Templar Castle. It brings together various architectural styles and symbols of the Portuguese past, including the Gothic-Manueline style and the Cross of the Order of Christ, which are classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and are, also, one of the most attractive monuments of this region.
THE CONVENT OF CHRIST
The visit to this monument is a must mostly because of the iconic, rich, full of details, Manueline window! The church was inspired in Salomon's temple with 8 cloisters and much more...
THE CHURCH
We will also visit a church inspired in the temple of Salomon with its 8 cloisters and the iconic Manueline window. Meanwhile we might discover some secrets of the Templars! Learn about their extinction and succession as the Order of Christ.
SYMBOLS OF THE PORTUGUESE PAST
The symbols that come from the past history of Portugal bring together various architectural styles and symbols, including the Gothic-Manueline style and the Cross of the Order of Christ.
LUNCH BREAK
Next stop is dedicated to a delicious break with a traditional Portuguese lunch. We will go to a middle age restaurant where the atmosphere of that period of time is present not only within the decoration and ambience but also within the menu.
HISTORICAL CENTER
After lunch, it is time to visit the historical center of Tomar, where you can stroll through the beautiful old streets. Everywhere you will notice the presence of the great religious-military order.
THE ALMOUROL CASTLE
From Tomar we will go to Vila Nova da Barquinha. From there we'll take a boat toward the beautiful Templar Castle of Almourol. It was built on an island in the middle of Tagus River, by order of the Great Master of the Temple Order, D. Gualdim Pae. It was a Knights Templar stronghold used during the Reconquest.
Feel free to explore this charming and romantic place...
RETURN
By this time you should have gotten a global perspective about one of the more mystical religious military orders. You should also know the source of the myth and why Friday, 13th is considered a black day...
At the end of the tour you will be taken back to your hotel or apartmen in Lisbon (around 06h00 p.m.).
Optional experiences and visits:
SYNAGOGUE & CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
Last but not least we´ll visit the oldest Synagogue of the Iberian Peninsula and the Renaissance Church of St. John the Baptist.
Full of details it is a very interesting place to visit, as well.
THE PEGÕES AQUEDUCT
The Pegões Aqueduct (Portuguese: Aqueduto dos Pegões Altos) its one of the most remarkable of Portugal.
Around 6-km long and constituted by 180 arches, was one of the main public works built in the 17th century in Portugal. This monumental work was designed in order to supply water to the Convent of Christ - linking the Convent with the village of Pegões on the outskirts of Tomar, where there were four natural springs.
This aqueduct – one of the largest and most impressive in Portugal - is constituted by simple arches, with a dual layer of arches in the deepest zones, attaining a maximum height of 30 metres.
THE MIRA DE AIRE CAVES
Are the largest caves in Portugal and are certainly a great option for those looking for a different tour. With 11km of extension , of which 600m can be visited, the caves were elected as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. The tour is going desceding, through 683 steps and although it looks a lot, it is not hard because there ase several levels. The visit is done in groups and begins with a video with the history of the place and some interesting information. During the route several stops are made in many galleries, where the guide gives explanations including on how the elements in there are constantly formed, composing that scenario. Enjoy a unique beauty.
Have a Nice Day with Us!
Pricing
We have three options for You:
SILVER
Just You and our expert Driver in tourism
GOLD
Just You and our exclusive and specialized Guide/driver
PLATINUM
Just You and our exclusive Guide and specialized Driver
In that case there will be a Driver and a Guide that will be at your service to go along with you during all your visits.
N.º Pax Silver Gold Platinum
1- 2 250€ 290€ On request
3-4 280€ 350€ On request
5-6 300€ 385€ On request
+ 6 On request On request On request